A Soulful Journey

There is a fable about a hippo who fell in love with a butterfly.   He sought the advice of the wise old owl.   “You must become a butterfly,” the owl told the hippo, “and do it right now.”   The hippo was delighted.   He plunged back into the jungle, only to return shortly. “How do I become a butterfly?” the hippo inquired of the owl. The bird of great wisdom replied, “That’s up to you.   I only set policy.   I don’t implement.”   -R. Robert Cueni Advice is cheap.   Hard word is precisely that - hard work.   All change takes real effort and focus.   There will be roadblocks on the way but if you are determined meaningful change is possible.

Today, I interviewed my grandmother for part of a research paper I'm working on for my Psychology class.  When I asked her to define success in her own words, she said, "Success is when you look back at your life   and the memories make you smile." -anonymous

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel once taught, a  chasid wass planning to build a house, but instead of consulting an architect, he turned to his rebbe for advice.  The saintly rebbe assured the chasid that he'll find everything he needs to know about building a house in Masechet Midot, a tractate of behavior. The chasid went home & followed the advice of the Rebbe.   But, alas, the house he built soon fell apart.  The Chasid, very upset, ran back to his rebbe & with tears in his eyes asked him how could this happen.  After a couple of minutes, the rebbe replied:  "Come to think of it, תוספות פרעגט טאקע די זעלבע קשיא ״ - Tosafot asks the same question."  - Rabbi  Charles Kraus    Sometimes there is a wide gulf of difference between that which is practical and that which is  theoretical .

The old father, who had a weakness for gambling, was dying and called his children to his bedside for their final blessing and advice. “You must promise me,” he said, “never to touch a card.   Above all I would warn you against playing baccarat.   It is a game which will cost you a fortune, waste your time and ruin your health.   Do you all promise me never to play baccarat?” Yes, father,” in chorus.. “And remember – if you do play, always take the bank !” -Friday Nite Book There is a gross difference between words and action.   That is why Judaism belabors this idea time and again in myriad ways.     A person of action always precedes one of words.

One afternoon a 12 year old boy and his dad were watching football on television.  The boy had just gone out for football at his school.  The team played on Sundays but the boy had yet to be called to play yet.  So his father suggested as they watched the game, "Pick out the position that you play and watch that person.  You will learn a lot."  A few minutes later, he turned to his son and asked, "Are you doing what I told you to do?" "I would," answered the boy, "But why aren't showing the bench." Sometimes that is how life is.  You plan one thing but life has other things in mind for you.

An archaeologist is the best husband any woman can have. The older she gets, the more interested he is inner."  - Agatha Christie As time unfolds before us remember, the older we become the more learning we possess, the more more learning we possess the wiser we are, the wiser we are the more savvy and dependable is our advice.

"Be chary of giving advice.  Wise men don't need it and fools won't heed it."   -Lloyd Shearer

Sound really does travel slower than light.  Advice parents give to their 18-year olds doesn’t reach them until they’re about forty.   – Unknown

“They say [Jaques] Mitterrand has 100 lovers. One has AIDS, but he doesn’t know which one. Bush has 100 bodyguards. One is a terrorist, but he doesn’t know which one. Gorbachev has 100 economic advisors. One is great, but he doesn’t know which one.”  -Mikhael Gorbachev, 12/1990 Life is uncertain.  Advice should be sought from every quarter but trust is something to be reserved for special relationships.

"I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and them advise them to do it."   - Harry S. Truman When someone is convinced of an idea is it possible to dissuade them?  Sometimes just accepting another for who they are is a great achievement.

An elderly widow complained to her doctor of nervousness and did not really know what was wrong with her. "The best remedy I can give is for you to get married," the doctor advised. "How about you?" she brazenly asked. "My dear lady, we doctors only write prescriptions, we don't take them."

There are directions and signs in life that take us to good, healthy places.   What is advice worth?  Here is an answer: "The suggestions you get are free--- you pay if you don't take them." - Alan Zoldan

Advice to parents and a reminder to children: Once I asked my mother why there is a Mother’s Day, a Father’s Day, Grandparent’s Day, but no Children’s Day. She replied that every day is Children’s Day. 

Everybody matters.   Everybody counts.   No voice is silent before God.   Should it be any differently with humanity? Sam was a pauper in a well-to-do community.   One evening the President called a meeting to discuss a community problem.   People cited pros and cons and when Sam wanted to express an opinion, he was ignored.   At the end of the evening someone remembered they had a yahrzeit and needed to say Kaddish .   A head count was taken.   There were ten people, including Sam.   Then Sam turned to the President and said bitterly: “You see, to you I am a nobody but to God, I count.”   -Rabbi Hillel Silverman A working community is where every voice is heeded.